Summary: In part II of this series on IVDD in dogs, a miniature Dachshund named Tango receives conservative medical management to treat intervertebral disc disease. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby recounts Tango’s non-surgical treatment plan and shares why surgery for IVDD correlates to the severity of IVDD symptoms. For Part 1 in this series, please read, “IVDD in Dogs: Why it Happens.” The answer may surprise you.
Can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?
The answer is a conditional “yes.”
IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) is graded on a scale of 1 through 5, based on symptoms. In grade 1, the dog is painful but has no change in gait and no neurologic deficits. In grade 2, the dog experiences pain, weakness, and decreased conscious proprioception (sense of body position). Grades 3, 4, and 5 worsen incrementally. By grade 5, the dog can no longer move the back legs (and front legs too if the disc is located in the neck), cannot urinate normally, and does not feel his back legs. (Note: If your dog has lost the ability to walk, do not wait. Seek make an emergency vet visit immediately. Time is of the essence.)
As an integrative veterinarian, whether I recommend conservative medical management or surgery for treatment of IVDD, directly correlates to the severity of symptoms a dog is displaying.
The best way for me to illustrate this decision is by continuing the story of Tango, a 4-year-old miniature Dachshund whom I diagnosed with Grade 2 IVDD. (In Part I of this series, IVDD in Dogs: Why it Happens, I introduced Tango, shared why IVDD occurs, and explained the neurologic examination that led me to an IVDD diagnosis.)
Tango’s IVDD treatment plan: 3 critical non-surgical solutions
Tango’s mom sat in my exam room trying to hold it together. Understandably so! Her dog was in a lot of pain, and, as a Dachshund owner, she knew back surgery might be in Tango’s future. Not only is surgical treatment of IVDD invasive with a long recovery period, but it also costs $3,000 to $8,000.
“Can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?” Tango’s mom asked.
“Yes,” I replied encouragingly. “And I would not recommend surgery for Tango at this point. Since this is Tango’s first IVDD episode and since it is a grade 2, I think medical management is reasonable.”
Tango’s mom looked visibly relieved.
But I needed to create realistic expectations, so I continued, “However, if Tango worsens, then we will talk about the next step, which would be surgery.”
She nodded solemnly. Having provided that disclaimer, I proceeded to explain how we would treat Tango.
Treatment of IVDD without surgery involves three critical components:
- Strict rest
- Pain management
- Supportive nursing care/physical therapy
1. Strict crate rest is critical to managing IVDD
My plan to treat Tango was simple. The most important aspect was REST. In my experience as a veterinarian AND a pet owner, I have come to appreciate how hard it can be to crate rest a dog. Some dogs do fine in a crate, and some dogs enjoy lying around sleeping all day.
Tango was NOT one of those dogs.
He’d never been crated, and he was super active. He typically spent his days chasing squirrels in the yard and dashing through the house barking like a madman as the guardian of his home.
Crate rest with a herniated disc is absolutely the single most important aspect of home care. Without rest, the disc can cause more trauma to the spinal cord, leading to paralysis and a need for emergency surgery.
As a result, Tango’s mom and I had a long conversation about Tango’s lifestyle. Since he was so used to being active and he’d never been crated, we decided to treat him with a combination of gabapentin and trazodone.
Medications to promote relaxation and sedation
Gabapentin for dogs is a drug used in humans for seizure control. It also has anxiety relieving, sedative, and analgesic (pain relieving) effects. It seems to particularly help relieve pain associated with the nervous system (neuropathic pain), which is much of where the pain of a slipped disc originates. The disc is compressing the spinal cord, resulting in pain. Gabapentin is a perfect choice for treatment of IVDD since it helps an anxious, active patient rest, and it relieves nerve pain.
Trazodone for dogs is another drug used in humans, mostly as an antidepressant and anxiety-relieving medication. Used in combination with gabapentin, the additional sedation and relaxation can help keep an active dog still and calm.
That took care of the most important aspect—strict crate rest (for at least one month).
3. Medications to treat the pain of IVDD
But I wanted to make sure that Tango’s pain was well controlled too. To manage the pain associated with IVDD, I prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). This class of drugs decreases inflammation and relieves pain. NSAIDs are similar to aspirin and ibuprofen for humans (which should NOT be used in dogs). Drugs in this category include carprofen, meloxicam, firocoxib, and piroxicam. I chose carprofen for Tango.
As an aside, when I graduated from veterinary school 20 years ago, the popular treatment for IVDD dogs was steroids. Older editions of veterinary pharmacology manuals advise doses of dexamethasone for IVDD. However, this information is outdated. There is no scientific evidence that steroid dosing improves outcomes for dogs with IVDD. Thus, because of lack of efficacy plus potentially serious gastrointestinal side effects, steroids like prednisone for dogs are no longer recommended for dogs with intervertebral disc disease.
Muscle spasms often contribute to the pain associated with IVDD in dogs. So I added a muscle relaxant—Robaxin (methocarbamol for dogsl )—to Tango’s treatment plan. In my experience, this is one of the most valuable drugs for managing IVDD in dogs, especially for IVDD in the cervical region (neck).
3. Supportive care
Tango’s mom was ready to do whatever she needed to do to help him. I explained to her the importance of the following instructions: he could not be on furniture, he could not run and chase squirrels, and he needed crate rest—to stay in his crate at all times except for potty breaks on a leash.
Post-recovery for IVDD dogs: Putting a plan in place for lifestyle modifications
We discussed adding ramps to the house for when Tango was recovered—up to the porch, onto the couch, and into the bed. This would help him avoid jumping and further injury. We also revisited his weight problem, which I’d discussed with her at previous visits. I hoped that this would now make Tango’s plight clear, and we could follow weight management tips to get the extra pounds off.
The last thing I did was apply ToeGrips® dog nail grips, to help give him traction on hardwood floors. It would prevent him from slipping and falling, possibly worsening the herniated disc.
Tango’s mom left that day with a bag of medications and two pages of instructions. As I watched her go, carefully carrying Tango in her arms, I hoped very much that I wouldn’t be seeing them back any time soon.
How can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?
You may be wondering, how can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery? How can the disc just get better? Why didn’t Tango need surgery to remove it?
In some cases, the body will break down the herniated material by a process called phagocytosis, relieving the compression on the spinal cord. Additionally, as the inflammatory process resolves over time, healing occurs.
Exciting new research in non-surgical IVDD treatment
Interestingly, this concept of breaking down the disc to resolve IVDD is the basis for a clinical trial being conducted at Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital. The trial involves injecting a specialized enzyme into the disc of small breed dogs who, due to IVDD, have been unable to walk without support for less than 48 hours. This enzyme effectively dissolves the disc in a matter of hours, relieving the spinal cord compression.
It has already been successful in one dog, a dachshund named Oscar (whose story is told in the article linked above). I’m excited to see where this leads in the future! Hopefully it provides a less expensive and less invasive alternative to surgery with comparable results, but it is too early to know for sure.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for IVDD
Though I have no personal experience with it, I also want to mention that hyperbaric oxygen treatment is reportedly quite helpful for dogs with IVDD. Oxygen therapy has a long history of success in treating neurologic conditions.
Teri Swanson, CEO of All Creatures Hyperbaric Care in Salado, Texas, reports dramatic success with hyperbaric oxygen and conservative medical management for IVDD—almost 200 successful outcomes, six partial recoveries, and only two “failures.”
To learn more about hyperbaric oxygen treatment, please watch this before-and-after video of Bristol, a dog who suffered a spinal injury and was paralyzed. With no time to spare, Bristol was rushed to All Creatures Hyperbaric Care for treatment as recommended by his veterinarian. The amazing results in this video were seen after only five treatments.
Success rates for IVDD surgery and medical management
I want to stress again that the reason my answer was affirmative to Tango’s mom’s question, “Can a dog recover from IVDD without surgery?” was because he was grade 2 on the IVDD scale and it was his first episode. Since Tango was only suffering pain and weakness—but could still walk and control his bladder—he was a good candidate for conservative management.
Had Tango been a grade 5, I guess the answer might technically still have been yes, but a full recovery without surgery would be statistically much less likely. Surgery would have been my recommendation, and here’s why:
Studies have shown that with surgery for Grade 1-4 cases, more than 90% of dogs recover successfully. However, with Grade 5 IVDD, success drops to only 50-60% if the surgery occurs within 24 hours of symptoms. Additionally, if surgery is performed after that initial 24-hour window, the success rate drops dramatically.
Contrast that with medical management for cases where dogs have Grade 1 IVDD (ie. pain only). Studies suggest a 50% success rate, a 30% rate of recurrence down the road, and a 20% “failure” rate.
Tango’s return to the exam table
Sadly, we will see the latter in Tango’s story. Despite the best intentions, Tango’s parents were unsuccessful at confining Tango to strict rest.
In part III of our series on IVDD in dogs, Tango returns to my exam table unable to move his hind legs and we explore surgical management of IVDD. Don’t miss out! Please sign up for Dr. Buzby’s Barkworthy, my weekly dog health email, so you’re sure to receive “the rest of the story” delivered to your inbox. Plus, when you sign up now, you’ll receive my free e-book, Seven Ways to Love Your Senior Dog.
What questions do you have about non-surgical treatment of IVDD in dogs?
Please comment below. We can all learn from each other.
Dear Dr Buzby:
MY 12.4 year old lab was diagnosed with IVDD last month. He is currently on amantadine and galiprant. He was taking gabapetin twice a day (100mg) but was having increased wobblyness so the vet said to stop it. He has now gotten worse (wasn’t give the staging) is gabapetin worth reintroducing and also does adequan injections help with IVVD? Any other thoughts on treatment. He went thru rehab underwater treadmill laser and did some physio exercises. He took at turn for the worse after we did a physio class with the vet and did some of the exercises at home the next day and the day after he was losing his hind end and scissoring his legs when walking. We now are using a help him up harness for walks. The vet suspects the exercises were too much for him and said he appeared inflamed and that it could take several weeks for him to get better. So my question is-Can physio exercises make dogs with IVDD worse physically in some dogs?
Thanks, Lidia
Hi Lidia,
I am sorry your senior Lab is struggling with the symptoms of IVDD. I am not sure I have ever personally had a patient of this breed develop IVDD! It is common for gabapentin to cause wobbling and ataxia during the first few days/weeks. This side effect usually resolves on its own as the body adjusts to the medication. Also, it has been found that the side effects are milder when given at higher doses (I know that sounds backwards) and that smaller doses have greater side effects. So, if you wanted to give gabapentin another try, I would say to ask your vet about increasing the dosage a bit and then just trying to be patient and give it several days to see how your boy’s body adjusts. Adequan could be helpful to the injured spinal disk but could also be protective to the others (most dogs have more than one affected). Any exercise can cause issues if it is done too frequently or if it is too intense for the patient’s current situation. I agree with your vet, I don’t think there is anything wrong with physical therapy, but your boy may have over done it a bit or was pushed a little too hard. Thats the tricky part of PT is you have to push to get results but there is a fine line between helping and causing inflammation and sometimes the only way to find that line is to step over it once. Please make sure your rehab vet is aware of the setback that occurred after that last visit. Hoping your boy will continue to improve and wishing him all the best of luck for making a full recovery.
Hi Dr Buzby. Thanks so much for your post on IVDD. My vet suspects this is what my 15YO dachshund mix has. Based on write up, Id say he is stage 2 because he can still walk though he has a wobbly gait.
I wondered if you could clarify this statement: “Studies have shown that with surgery for Grade 1-4 cases, more than 90% of dogs recover successfully. However, with Grade 5 IVDD, success drops to only 50-60% if the surgery occurs within 24 hours of symptoms.”
If outcomes are so good for dogs in stages 1-4 and then dramatically decline in stage 5, why wouldn’t surgical intervention be recommended? If I can afford it, is it something I should pursue for my pup to give him the best chance at recovery?
Your posts seem to recommend against surgery, and that’s what my vet and rehab vet have said as well. But if the results are so good, I’m no longer sure I fully understand why surgery wouldn’t be recommended more often.
Thank you!
Hi Karen,
I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with the effects of IVDD. While surgical intervention is the gold standard for treatment for any dog with a grade of 2 or higher, we usually reserve surgery for more severe cases. This is because surgery is extremely invasive and very expensive. If possible, I would rather offer pain medications, anti-inflammatories, and rest and allow the body to heal itself. Since medical management only has about a 20% failure rate and surgical treatment has about a 10% failure rate, I think you would be ok to pursue either option. If you want more details about surgery, you can ask your vet about a consultation with a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. Hoping you can find the advice you need to feel confident in moving forward with any treatment you choose. Best wishes and good luck!
Reading your response to treating IVDD just breaks my heart because I just recently was advised by the emergency vet that euthanasia was the best option for my 2 1/2 year old Frenchie. My girl woke up last Sunday and unable to move her back legs. I immediately rushed her to the vet and was told my dogs quality of life would not be good because she would be paralyzed, I was told if I opted for surgery which I would have to drive a few hours away for would have a 5% success rate but basically my dog would not live a good life if surgery was a success. I was very distraught and overwhelmed with emotions. I was alone and crying the entire time not thinking or even able to process everything correctly. I took the advice of the vet and said my good byes to my precious baby girl. This is a regret I will forever live with. I’ve been doing so much research and now know my baby could have lived a happy life even if she was paralyzed with my help. IVDD doesn’t have to be a death sentence. I wish I had just did some research before I took her to the emergency. I just wanted my baby to get help because she was in pain and scared. Thank you so much for explaining all of this information to every pet parent, and I hope they all get the help they need for their fur babies.
Dear Cindy,
My heart is broken for you with the recent loss of your beloved Frenchie. Since I was not personally involved in her medical care it is hard to make specific conclusions. But there are some instances where surgery is really not an option, and the most loving choice is to let go and say goodbye. When the emergency vet did their exam, if your girl had a lack of deep pain perception, then I would agree that surgery would be the only chance at providing a good quality of life and the success rate dramatically drops as well. There is also a condition that can develop called myelomalacia. This is where the spinal cord begins to degenerate, and you can start to see a rapid and progressive paralysis that moves up toward the front legs and head. It can progress until the muscles that control breathing are affected as well and the dog can eventually pass due to an inability to breathe. I am not sure about the details surrounding your girl’s situation, but I have to think that the vet was offering heartfelt advice that they thought was in your pup’s best interest. I can only imagine how much you miss her but am certain she was well loved and lived a happy life by your side. I pray that as time passes your heart will begin to heal and the grief can be replaced with peace. May her memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life. ♥
Does myelomalacia happen frequently when surgery is not performed? We just lost our 14y/o Shiba Inu to myelomalacia after a serious back injury. She had paralysis in one hind leg but still had deep pain sensation. The lame leg somehow switched from the left to the right after rushing her to the ER Vet. Due to her age and lack of pain, I opted for conservative treatment, and she improved over the following week before relapsing into extreme pain and needing to be euthanized 10 days later. Now i will forever regret not rushing to surgery asap bc even if the outcome was the same, at least i would feel like i did everything and know that i didn’t contribute to the damage getting worse.
Dear Scott,
I am so sorry for the loss of your senior girl. Since I was not a part of your pup’s medical care team, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I can share my suspicions based on the information you provided, and I want you to know that you did not fail your girl. I could not find any information on the incidence of myelomalacia (MM) in dogs that did not undergo surgery for their IVDD. While the specific mechanism that causes MM is not well understood, it is known to only occur after a severe injury to the spinal cord in the lumbar area in which the dog loses all pain/deep pain sensation. The progression of MM does not seem to be painful but is rather a slow creeping loss of sensation/paralysis. Since your girl had deep pain sensation and became more painful in the days after the initial injury, I am more suspicious that the original disk injury was probably a mild one and then a few days later the disk ruptured further causing extreme pain and exaggerated symptoms. This was not your fault, and you made the same choices as I would have for my own dog. I can only imagine how much you miss your girl but am certain she lived a good life and knew how much she was loved. I hope with time the grief will fade and you will be able to set aside the burden of guilt you are carrying. May the memories of the good times you shared bring you joy. Bless you.
Hello, recently our French bulldog Gryffin was doing fine but progressive got more and more stiff in the neck region we woke up to him paralyzed in the hind legs, took him to the vets immediately where we found out he has a slipped disc our vet doesn’t do surgeries there to help this and the closes one who does is 3 hours away we don’t don know these doctors and don’t feel very safe bringing our boy there. Also the amount it cost to do so and to put him under the knife stresses us. We are currently doing laser treatments to help with the slipped disc. Is this a viable method? I’m scared he’ll never walk again he’s on a a lot of pain meds and muscle relaxers he seems happy though getting lots of rubs and rest, he doesn’t have control over his urination or poop. However he feels us rubbing his back legs and scratching them so he has some sensation. Sometimes rubbing his feet too they will move back in the position they were originally in. Is the odds on our side that he’ll walk again or is surgery the only way to guarantee that? We are getting him scheduled with a rehab center this week to help as well. Any inside would be amazing. Thank you!!
Hi Noah,
I am sorry Gryffin is experiencing the symptoms of IVDD. There are instances where surgery could be the only option to give your boy a decent quality of life, but without examining him myself, it is hard to make that determination. I am glad you are taking him to a rehab center this week. The veterinary rehabilitation professional would be a great person to talk with about how to proceed (surgery vs. rehab/medicine). Even if you decide to pursue surgery, I recommend you do rehab as well. Hoping you can get the advice you need to make the best choice for Gryffin. Praying for healing and a full recovery.
Hi Dr Buzby,
My 8 yr old dog woke up one day paralyzed in her left rear leg ( dragging it behind her and constantly knuckling the paw) we took her to the vet immediately who organized a MIR and a consultation with a neurologist.
The diagnosis was that she had herniated discs at the lower end of the spine but she didn’t need surgery as the neurologist was confident she would make a full recovery without it..
After approx. 2 weeks she stopped knuckling which was a relief. However, in the last 5 weeks her recovery has seemed to have plateaued. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any more improvement. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain but she walks with a stiff shuffle and seems to have difficulty squatting when passing stools (but no issue in squatting when urinating).
The vet insists on not doing physiotherapy but just giving her acupuncture and to be patient with the recovery process as it could take months. On the other hand, could not providing physiotherapy in these early stages be detrimental to her healing/recovery process. What are your thoughts on her current course of action?
Looking forward to your response.
Hi Dean,
I understand your concern for your dog and think it is great you are searching for advice. Your vet is correct that achieving a full recovery can take months. With that being said, I absolutely recommend physical therapy! It is great for every case of IVDD. I even recommend it prior to surgery for most orthopedic cases as it helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Your girl may recover just fine without physical therapy. But I am certain it can help speed up the healing process and most times helps to restore a more complete range of motion in the affected limbs. If you are interested in therapy, ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary rehabilitation specialist. Your girl is lucky to have you advocating for her health and well-being. Keep up the good work!
Hi, I think my dog is in the stage 4/5 – most likely stage 4. He has lost the use of his back hind legs, but he is able to drag himself a little bit and I’ve seen his toes and legs twitch a little bit. I went to the vet er immediately but the price was not in our reach. When did I start giving him physical therapy and how long can I do the crate rest?
Hi Nathly,
I am sorry your pup has endured this injury to his spinal cord and is not able to walk. Without examining him myself, it is hard to know what to recommend for crate rest. It is needed until the inflammation around his spine decreases, which is hard to determine without physically touching a dog and evaluating their back. If you are wanting to pursue physical therapy, then go ahead and reach out to a veterinary rehabilitation professional and get established as a patient. The sooner you start the better. Hoping you can find a way to restore your pup’s mobility and quality of life. Praying for healing and a positive outcome.
Hi Dr.Buzby
Our french bulldog Hugo has a problem with his back paws, he walks bent over and obviously has a pain on his back. A month ago it was the front, now the back. The vet said he has a problem with his disc, he gave him an injection, if it doesn’t get better by tomorrow, he said he will give him an infusion and then he will have to have an operation, which I don’t want in any case. The bulldog is not overweight, he is 3 years old, he is muscular and very active, please help him to be our good old Hugi again.
Dear Vladimir,
I am so sorry Hugo is having these severe symptoms and is facing an uncertain future. From what you describe, it does sound like surgery may be the best option. Have you considered talking with a veterinary neurologist? Or even a veterinary rehabilitation professional? They could give you more details and let you know if there are other options for treatment. How are things today? Hoping your boy has stabilized and isn’t struggling with pain. Wishing you both happier days ahead.
Hi Dr Buzby,
My 13yo Dachshund Zoey started having some trouble with her hind legs last summer. I took her in to see her vet and he told me she had a disc issue in her mid (thoracic) and lower (lumbar) spine. He gave her meds for a week or two and started her on some joint supplements, and that combined with us carrying her up any stairs and trying to prevent any jumping. she recovered. She’s been playing at the beach and living her best life! However this last weekend she began to lose use of her hind legs again, much worse this time. She cannot walk or stand on them at all. She still has bowel, and I think bladder, function. I can tell she is really sad and in some pain, but she’s still eating and cuddling as normal. I took her into the vet right away and he confirmed that she has a compressed disc in her mid back. She is currently on Carprofen, Gabapentin, and a muscle relaxer along with strict rest. I am gently carrying her when she needs to be moved, and otherwise have her resting in her bed. I have a follow up with the vet in two weeks, and I keep doing the toe test (which she continues to react to, which is good). But he said if she doesn’t get better, or gets worse, that usually surgery is the next step. However because of Zoey’s age, I am terrified to put her through that. It is breaking my heart to see her like this, but surgery feels worse. I have her on a whole food, clean diet and some good supplements, which I have been doing for years. I’m looking into pet acupuncture, and I also have a cold laser I’ve been using. I’ve done hyperbaric in the past and will reach out to see if anyone in the LA are does it for pets. Is there anything else you recommend? Considering her age, should I rule out surgery? I am staying as hopeful as possible that she will recover (although I know relapse is probably inevitable), because other than this she is vibrant and healthy and nobody EVER guesses she is 13 because she is so lively. Any insight you can give me into what is best for my baby girl would be so helpful! Zoey means everything to me. Thank you SO much <3
Hi Sidrah,
I am so sorry Zoey is dealing with IVDD. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and I am hopeful you will start to see some improvement over the next few days. While there are many factors that can make a dog a poor anesthesia candidate, age alone is not one of them. Here is a link to another article with more information and great comments from other readers: Is My Dog Too Old for Surgery?
Without examining Zoey, myself, I can’t say for sure if surgery is the best option. But if things don’t improve, there may come a point where you have to choose between surgery and saying goodbye. I hope it doesn’t come to that and it sounds like you are doing a great job of advocating for your sweet girl’s health and well-being. How is she feeling today? Wishing you both the best for a positive outcome and many happy days ahead. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
I wanted to post this for all IVDD. My dogs back legs were not working at all. He was eating , and resting and didnt appear to be in much pain. However, I could not get him to walk at all.
My family uses ice baths daily. I was hesitant but put my pup in the ice bath for 1 minute 3 times a day. After the first bath of 42 degree water no difference. After second bath walked across the garage. Two days in and he is walking to the neighbors house.
Thought this could be helpful
Hi Pat,
What a blessing your pup was able to regain his motor function! Thank you for sharing your experience. Best wishes to you and your sweet boy!
Hi there!
My 2 year old rescue mix of [maybe] corgi and chihuahua had a grade 5 T12/13 disc rupture and had surgery within the 24 hour window. It has been almost 10 months since his surgery and he still suffers from a very weak right hind leg that sometimes crosses to the left when standing and trying to walk. He gets around fairly well most of the time, but you can definitely tell he has lasting paralysis to the rear. Recently he seems to be getting weaker in that right hind leg. Do I need to take him on more walks to strengthen the muscles of that leg and also his lower back? Do you have any recommendations on muscle strengthening or anything that could help with the nerves? Also, I’m looking into getting a backpack to carry him in while we go on longer walks, but I’m so afraid that the position he has to sit in could possibly worsen his current symptoms and even possibly cause another injury. The backpack I’ve been looking into is the K9 Sport Sack Plus 2. What do you think of that backpack? Do you recommend anything different? Should I only consider a stroller at this point? Thank you for all your help.
Hi Shannon,
I am sorry your little guy had to go through back surgery, but very glad to hear it was successful! It is not uncommon for there to be some lingering deficiencies after spinal trauma and surgery such as your dog has endured. I do think you should mention to your vet that the leg seems to be getting weaker. They may want to reassess his neurological status and make sure a new disk isn’t causing a problem. It might be a good time to get your pup started with rehabilitation and physical therapy. You can ask your vet for a referral if needed. I took a look at the backpack you mentioned. I would not recommend that style for your dog. I would avoid any situation where he is sitting vertically due to the increased pressure on the spine. I don’t have specific recommendations for packs, and without knowing the exact size/length of your dog it makes it hard to choose. But I would think a backpack style carrier that is made for him to lie down inside would be best. Strollers are great options too! I hope this helps a bit. Best wishes and good luck!
Hi my dog is a Italian greyhound and is 13 years old, she’s been having episodes which last for around 10/20 seconds of yelping in pain and walks sideways holding her neck to the right and holding right leg, after doing this she returns to normal and walks fine again until she has another episode, we took her to the vet and she was given metacam tablets and tralieve but these didn’t work, took her back and she had an x ray that showed she a split disk and an exploded disk which has disintegrated in neck she’s been given Cortezone but these are also not working what can I do
Hi Kayleigh,
I am sorry your little pup is struggling so badly with neck pain. If the pain is not well controlled with medication, then it may be time to move on to the next step. You can talk to your vet about getting a referral to a specialist/neurologist. The neurologist can discuss if more testing is needed and what treatment options are available for your dog’s specific case. They may recommend surgery. Please make sure your vet is aware of your concerns and that your dog is still extremely uncomfortable. I hope you can get things sorted out quickly and find the best way to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. Praying for you both and for a positive outcome.
My 14.5 year old doxie suffered IVDD of the neck twice when he was 5 , over 3 months of crate rest ,meds , acupuncture .Benn 8 years but now all of a sudden wife stepped on his paw , yelped and yelped , Took him to ER and they said it was neck , followed up with his vet and we are treating again with Pred, Methacarbol and Gabapentin . He’s confined in small bathroom not going anywhere . .Has some good days then one little hiccup and yelp .
Question how long before the pain or inflammation subsides , been 5 days .He is moving his neck like no tomorrow , is this a neck issue ?
Hi Edward,
I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with IVDD again. What a blessing he was able to go 8 years without a recurrence. There really is no magic number for when the inflammation will subside. It is very different for each individual. Many times, there will be a specific neck movement that will cause pain, and this can be different for each dog. Some dogs will be able to move their neck side to side without an issue but flexing it or extending it upward may be more of a problem. If you have any concerns about how the recovery process is going, I highly recommend you talk to your vet and see if they want to schedule a recheck. They can evaluate your sweet boy and let you know if the inflammation is gone and when you can start to increase his activity level. Praying for a positive outcome!
Hi! Thanks for all the helpful responses!
My dog is recovering from his second episode of IVDD…both of which have been surgically managed. He’s my baby and I remain very concerned for future episodes, as he’s only 4 years old. Prior to his second injury, I already wasn’t allowing him to jump or use stairs.
Are there any other activity limitations I can implement? He goes to doggy daycare and loves running around.
Also, what are your thoughts on percutaneous laser disc ablation?
Hi CG,
I am glad your pup’s second IVDD surgery was a success, and he is in the recovery stage. I am not sure there are other limitations to recommend at this point. Further restricting his activity is no guarantee there won’t be problems in the future, and he needs to be happy and be able to be a dog! I would hate to think how he would feel about not being able to run or play. I am not very familiar with percutaneous laser disc ablation. It sounds like a great way to prevent future issues if your dog is a good candidate. From my understanding, it is only available for discs in the lower back (thoracolumbar) region. This type of procedure is limited to certain referral/specialty facilities. I have not had the personal experience of having this performed on one of my own patients. I hope your sweet boy continues to heal and can make a full recovery. If you decide to pursue PLDA, please give us an update!